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Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 2)
The objective of this work is to design and demonstrate an interlaced patch array aperture for transmission and reception of dual-polarized radar signals at 94 GHz (W-band). The antenna elements will be constructed as metal patches and will contain no dielectric. The interlaced transmit / receive array configuration eliminates front-end losses at each element, increasing performance and simplifying transmit / receive electronics.
The demonstration of this all-metal interlaced patch array in a key proof of concept needed to enable the development of a W-band scanning cloud radar for the ACE decadal survey mission. Competing concepts do not provide scanning at W-band, as recommend by the Earth Science Decadal Survey.
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